Professional wrestling championship
USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship Promotion United States Wrestling Association Date established December 13, 1988 Date retired November 1997 First champion(s) Jerry Lawler Most reigns Jerry Lawler (28 times) Longest reign Sid Vicious (205 days)Shortest reign Sid Vicious (3 days)
The USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship formed in 1988, which consisted of the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship from World Class Championship Wrestling and the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from the American Wrestling Association . The title was unified on December 13, 1988, when AWA World Champion Jerry Lawler defeated WCWA World Champion Kerry Von Erich in a unification match.
The title was primarily recognized by and defended in the United States Wrestling Association until 1997, when the company ceased operations. However, the AWA withdrew its recognition of the championship shortly after the unification match when Lawler was stripped of the AWA world title. The title was also contested in a non-televised match prior to the World Wrestling Federation 's King of the Ring event in 1993.[1]
Title history [ ]
Key
No.
Overall reign number
Reign
Reign number for the specific champion
Days
Number of days held
No.
Champion
Championship change
Reign statistics
Notes
Ref.
Date
Event
Location
Reign
Days
1
Jerry Lawler
December 13, 1988
SuperClash III
Chicago, Illinois
1
109
Lawler was the reigning AWA World Heavyweight Champion . He defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship . This results in the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship being formed. In January 1989, he was stripped of the AWA title by the AWA, ending the AWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Lawler continues to be recognized as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion by the USWA. On January 10, 1989, Dutch Mantell apparently defeated Lawler to win the title after guest referee Ricky Morton (who had been paid off by Mantell) helped Mantell win by knocking Lawler's feet off the ropes in Mantell's pinfall attempt. The CWA Championship Committee reversed the decision the following week, returning the title to Lawler
[2] [3]
2
Master of Pain
April 1, 1989
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
24
The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was held up in April 1989. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. At this point, the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship was not unified with either the AWA or World Class World Heavyweight Championships; consequently, the influential Pro Wrestling Illustrated outright refused to recognise the Unified championship as a separate title in its own right.[4]
[2] [3]
3
Jerry Lawler
April 25, 1989
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
181
On April 14 Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship again. Lawler claims to still be champion in AWA and wins the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title on April 25
[2] [3]
4
The Soultaker
October 23, 1989
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
14
This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
[2] [3]
5
Jerry Lawler
November 6, 1989
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
3
54
[2] [3]
6
King Cobra
December 30, 1989
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
9
This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
[2] [3]
7
Jerry Lawler
January 8, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
4
49
[2] [3]
8
Jimmy Valiant
February 26, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
14
This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
[2] [3] [5]
9
Jerry Lawler
March 12, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
5
47
[2] [3]
10
Jimmy Valiant
April 28, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
7
This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
[2] [3]
11
Jerry Lawler
May 5, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
6
44
[2] [3] [6]
12
Snowman
June 18, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
70
[2] [3]
—
Vacated
August 27, 1990
—
—
—
—
Snowman no-shows title defense. (World Class Championship Wrestling ends business relationship with USWA in September 1990, ending the WCWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship)
[2] [3]
13
Jerry Lawler
October 8, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
7
28
Defeated Austin Idol in tournament final
[2] [3]
14
Terry Funk
November 5, 1990
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
126
[2] [3]
15
Jerry Lawler
March 11, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
8
140
[2] [3]
16
Awesome Kong
July 29, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
14
[2] [3] [7]
17
Jerry Lawler
August 12, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
9
14
[2] [3]
18
The Dragon Master
August 26, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
7
[2] [3]
19
Jerry Lawler
September 2, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
10
84
[2] [3]
20
Kamala
November 25, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
7
[2] [3]
21
Jerry Lawler
December 2, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
11
5
[2] [3]
—
Vacated
December 7, 1991
—
—
—
—
Championship vacated after a match against Kamala
[2] [3]
22
Kamala
December 9, 1991
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
55
Won rematch
[2] [3]
—
Vacated
February 2, 1992
—
—
—
—
Championship vacated after match against Koko B Ware
[2] [3]
23
Kamala
February 10, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
3
14
Won rematch
[2] [3] [8]
24
Koko B. Ware
February 24, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
21
[2] [3] [9]
25
Kamala
March 16, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
4
49
[2] [3]
26
Jerry Lawler
May 4, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
12
42
Defeated Eddie Gilbert on June 8, 1992 to win the GWF World Heavyweight Championship , supposedly unifying the two championships although Gilbert had been stripped of the championship previously
[2] [3]
27
Eddie Gilbert
June 15, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
28
[2] [3]
28
Ricky Morton
July 13, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
7
[2] [3]
29
Eddie Gilbert
July 20, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
63
[2] [3] [10]
30
Junkyard Dog
September 21, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
21
[2] [3]
31
Butch Reed
October 12, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
5
[2] [3]
32
Todd Champion
October 17, 1992
"USWA show "
Cleveland, Ohio
1
16
Announced as having won a match, storyline to cover for Butch Reed leaving USWA
[2] [3]
33
Jerry Lawler
November 2, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
13
35
[2] [3]
34
Koko B. Ware
December 7, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
7
[2] [3]
35
Jerry Lawler
December 14, 1992
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
14
140
[2] [3]
36
Papa Shango
May 3, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
49
Previously held the championship under the ring name "The Soultaker"
[2] [3] [11]
37
Owen Hart
June 21, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
14
[2] [3]
38
Jerry Lawler
July 5, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
15
70
[2] [3]
39
Tatanka
September 13, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
7
Tatanka worked for the WWF at the time, and was undefeated.
[2] [3]
40
Jerry Lawler
September 20, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
16
21
Lawler pinned Tatanka in a six-man tag team elimination match and the title changed hands due to a pre-match stipulation.
[2] [3]
41
Randy Savage
October 11, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
40
[2] [3]
—
Vacated
November 20, 1993
—
—
—
—
The USWA and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) temporarily end co-promotion
[2] [3]
42
Jeff Jarrett
November 22, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
28
Won a battle royal
[2] [3]
43
Jerry Lawler
December 20, 1993
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
17
42
[2] [3]
44
Eddie Gilbert
January 31, 1994
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
3
7
[2] [3]
45
Jerry Lawler
February 7, 1994
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
18
7
[2] [3] [12]
46
Eddie Gilbert
February 14, 1994
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
4
39
[2] [3] [13]
47
Jerry Lawler
March 25, 1994
USWA show
Senatobia, Mississippi
19
113
[2] [3]
48
Sid Vicious
July 16, 1994
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
205
Won by forfeit
[2] [3] [14]
49
Jerry Lawler
February 6, 1995
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
20
19
[2] [3]
50
Bill Dundee
February 25, 1995
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
37
[2] [3]
51
Razor Ramon
April 3, 1995
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
28
[2] [3] [15]
52
Jerry Lawler
May 1, 1995
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
21
189
[2] [3]
53
Ahmed Johnson
November 6, 1995
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
44
[2] [3]
54
Jeff Jarrett
December 20, 1995
USWA show
Tunica, Mississippi
2
73
[2] [3]
—
Vacated
March 2, 1996
—
—
—
—
Jarrett suffered a back injury and could not defend the championship
[2] [3]
55
Jerry Lawler
March 4, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
22
4
Defeated Mabel in tournament final
[2] [3] [16]
—
Vacated
March 8, 1996
—
—
—
—
Championship vacated after a match against Bill Dundee
[2] [3]
56
Jerry Lawler
April 5, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
23
15
Lawler won rematch
[2] [3]
57
Jeff Jarrett
April 20, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
3
95
Jarret won with the help of referee Frank Morrell
[2] [3]
58
Jerry Lawler
July 24, 1996
USWA show
West Helena, Arkansas
24
37
[2] [3]
59
Sid Vicious
August 30, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
2
3
[2] [3]
60
Jerry Lawler
September 2, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
25
32
[2] [3]
61
The Colorado Kid
October 4, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
43
[2] [3]
62
Jerry Lawler
November 16, 1996
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
26
119
[2] [3]
63
Tank
March 15, 1997
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
7
[2] [3]
64
Jerry Lawler
March 22, 1997
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
27
21
[2] [3] [17]
65
King Reginald
April 12, 1997
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
15
[2] [3]
66
Jerry Lawler
April 27, 1997
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
28
103
[2] [3]
67
Dutch Mantel
August 8, 1997
USWA show
Memphis, Tennessee
1
[2] [3] [Note 1]
[2] [3]
—
Deactivated
November 2, 1997
—
—
—
—
USWA closed
[2] [3]
Combined reigns [ ]
[ ]
^ The exact date the USWA closed is not known, which means that the championship reign lasted between 85 and 114 days
References [ ]
^ "Charles Wright profile" . Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 21, 2010 . June 13, 1993 - WWF King of the Ring
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Tennessee: USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title [Lawler]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present . Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. p. 198. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw "Unified World Heavyweight Title [United States Wrestling Association]" . Wrestling-Titles . Retrieved March 28, 2017 .
^ "Master of Pain is currently defending the 'unified' title, a title not recognised by PWI or its sister publications." Ratings Analysis, Pro Wrestling Illustrated June 1989
^ Hoops, Brian (February 26, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/26): Verne Gagne wins AWA title on his birthday" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017 .
^ F4W Staff (May 5, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 5): Bruno Vs. Gorilla in Puerto Rico, 2nd annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (July 29, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 29): Ric Flair vs. Bobo Brazil, Nick Bockwinkel vs. Mil Mascaras" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 18, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (February 10, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/10): Masa Saito wins AWA gold at the Tokyo Dome" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (February 24, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/24): War Games at WCW WrestleWar 1991" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (July 20, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history: Brisco beats Race for NWA title, Gagne beats Crusher for AWA title, Robinson vs. Gagen" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017 .
^ F4W Staff (May 3, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history: Low Ki Vs. Dewitt, Punk wins OVW title, Mutoh wins IWGP belt, Bret wins NA title, Dibiase & Dr. Death, Sheik, Watts, Fargos" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (February 7, 2017). "On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 7): Bobby Roode & Austin Aries wins tag gold" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 15, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (February 14, 2017). "On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 14): Austin vs. McMahon at St. Valentine's Day Massacre" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 15, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (July 16, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 16): Dusty Rhodes Vs. Ernie Ladd, Reed Vs. JYD, Bash in Huntington Beach" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017 .
^ F4W Staff (April 3, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling title change history: Gotch VS. Hackeschmidt, Inoki Vs. Hansen, Guerrero Vs. Jericho" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (March 4, 2017). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (03/04): ROH 10th Anniversary Show" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 5, 2017 .
^ Hoops, Brian (March 22, 2020). "Daily pro wrestling history (03/22): Dutch Mantel wins Southern title from Jerry Lawler" . Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved March 22, 2020 .